A Lesson on Dual POV from INCARCERON
Posted by annastan on May 5th, 2010. Filed under: A Closer Look, Books, Craft.I just finished reading Catherine Fisher’s Incarceron yesterday and can’t stop thinking about what a great story it was. Of course, when a book stays with me like that, I try to analyze what exactly worked about it. I think in the case of Incarceron, it was the story’s fascinating (but not off-putting) complexity and the way it handled its dual main characters.
The story is told in limited third-person and follows Finn, a prisoner inside an all-controlling prison called Incarceron, and Claudia, daughter to the prison’s warden. At first Finn and Claudia’s narratives seem unrelated, but soon their stories become intertwined in unexpected (and exciting!) ways.
Often when I read stories with alternating point-of-view characters, I find that I’m more invested in one character’s story over the other. But in this case, because the narratives are increasingly intertwined as the story continues, I was equally interested in both. The two characters’ stories are so closely connected that their futures become dependent on one another. That explains why I was equally invested in both characters: if one doesn’t achieve his/her goal, the other will likely fail as well.
Adding to the tension is the fact that both characters are in very oppressive environments. While Finn might be in an actual prison, Claudia lives in a society where rules and expectations are so rigid, she is also a type of prisoner. The fact that they’re both trapped makes it clear that things must change in both their worlds.
As it so happens, my current WIP is also a dual point-of-view narrative, and Fisher has given me several things to keep in mind. It’s not enough to have both characters have their own agendas; their goals can be at odds with each other, but the outcomes of those goals also need to be dependent on one another.
And as far as the environment goes, since I’m already dealing with a fantasy setting, why not make it another foe? I want my readers to care about both characters, to want them both to succeed; one way of achieving that is to make both their struggles as difficult, and as inter-connected, as possible.
If you’ve read Incarceron, are there any other lessons to be learned from this book? Or are there other dual narrative books you’d recommend?
May 5th, 2010 at 9:15 am
I haven’t read it although I’ve heard about the premise. You’ve made me interested in its structure, particularly that both of their goals are connected. That is such a good insight. I’m going to keep that in mind for any and all plot structuring. Thanks.
May 5th, 2010 at 9:17 am
Perfect Chemistry and Leaving Paradise by Simone Elkeles are both in alternating pov. They are extremely well done for the same reasons you outlined. Usually I only feel connected to one character, even if the book is dualing pov, not so with Simone’s books.
May 5th, 2010 at 10:26 am
My WiP is from dual POVs, first person. It’s scary stuff, but so much fun. Heather Kelly, a CP, friend, and woworker, well, you know her, that’s a lot of commas, anyway, Heather has challenged me to live as one of my characters since that POV is not as strong as the other. It’s been hard, but I have been successful at meeting the challenge. I changed my clothes, the music I listen to and my slang words. It was fun. It was hard. It definitely helped. Now I just have to write the book so that people aren’t totally confused.
May 5th, 2010 at 11:42 am
That’s a really nice bit of advice that you’ve drawn out about having both pov characters’ stories rely on each other. Thanks!
May 5th, 2010 at 12:32 pm
I LOVED this book. The sequel is even better. You’ll love it.
May 5th, 2010 at 12:33 pm
I love reading books that do something well that I’m trying to do! The best way to learn. I haven’t read a dual narrative actually in a while. But this book looks good. I’ll keep my eye out.
May 5th, 2010 at 12:38 pm
Tricia, I think this is something I’ve taken for granted until now, but the connectedness of their goals was so clear in this book that it really stood out. I highly recommend reading it!
Stina, thanks for the recommendations! I’ll have to check them out.
Wow, Jon, that’s so fun that you actually “lived” as your character. I can see that being really helpful. That Heather is a smart cookie!
Thanks, Anne! It was such an eye-opener – definitely made me think about my WIP differently.
Travis, I’m SO jealous you’ve read the sequel. It doesn’t come out here until December! I’m tempted get the UK version, even though I’m sure shipping will cost a fortune.
May 5th, 2010 at 1:41 pm
I was really riveted by this book. I love strong characters — especially female ones and Fisher didn’t disappoint.
One thing I loved was the mythology that she created and how she revealed the world-building. I was fascinated by it actually. It would have been VERY easy to just do an info-dump on the history of this world but it was only revealed when needed.
I also love the mystery/spy part of it as well — you never really knew who to trust and the TWIST — I must say I didn’t expect it so that was also good as well.
I’ve also heard the SAPPHIQUE is even better so can’t wait for it to come out.
Plus, I would LOVE for a movie adaptation of this to be done. It would be stunning on film.
May 5th, 2010 at 1:50 pm
I read Incarceron a little while ago and found it completely fascinating! I was impressed by Fisher’s worldbuilding as well as the amazingly-executed dual POV. Can’t wait for the second one!
May 5th, 2010 at 2:12 pm
Laura, I highly recommend it. It was just a great read, plus one of those books that can teach you a lot about crafting a good story.
Karen, the world-building was SO interesting. We got tidbits here and there, but nothing was every really explained. Still, I felt like I got a full sense of the world by the end of the story. I can’t wait for the sequel!
Joanna, it was definitely one of the best spec. fic. books I’ve read in a while. And, as an added bonus, it re-energized me to get back to my own writing!
May 5th, 2010 at 3:50 pm
I loved Incarceron and Travis is right, the sequel is great, too (you can get it on Amazon.uk.) I knew I’d love it from the first chapter when she lays that little twist on the reader right off the bat.
Have you read Skin Hunger? It also has two POVs that I thought couldn’t be related (they are separated by generations). I read it a while ago, and have been meaning to read to the sequel to see how she pulls it off. But it’s another really imaginative fantasy.
May 5th, 2010 at 4:29 pm
Anna–Ever since you mentioned this book to me on Sunday, I have heard it EVERYWHERE. I take that as a sign that I need to read it. Thanks for the in depth recommendation! I just picked up Skin Hunger at Tina’s recommendation, and am looking forward to that as well. I’m always so excited when I have so many great titles staring at me from my TBR pile!
May 5th, 2010 at 5:26 pm
Sheila, I haven’t read SKIN HUNGER, but it’s been on my reading list for a while. I didn’t realize it was dual POV – will definitely have to check it out. Thanks for the recommendation!
Heather, isn’t it funny how that happens? I think it’s also one of those books that’s getting more and more popular thanks to word-of-mouth. Let me know how you like SKIN HUNGER! It’s the coolest/creepiest title ever!
May 5th, 2010 at 7:06 pm
This is so interesting to me. It sounds like close to what I’m shooting for with my ms, dual POV yet intertwined. Sometimes they almost feel like a ‘they’ instead of two separate parts. I’m so getting this book. Thanks Annastan.
May 5th, 2010 at 7:29 pm
Nice review! I haven’t read a dual POV book and I’ve been wanting to read this one for a while. Now I’ve got a good nudge!
May 5th, 2010 at 10:09 pm
Sheri, I know exactly what you mean about the two POV characters feeling like “they” sometimes – I get that sense in my WIP too. Good luck with it!
Lydia, it’s a great read. I couldn’t wait to get back to reading it, even though I didn’t want it to end!
May 5th, 2010 at 10:35 pm
Thanks for posting on this book, I’m ordering it right away!
May 6th, 2010 at 10:34 am
It was a great book, wasn’t it, Anna. Have you read the sequel yet?
You’re right about the dual POV. It felt totally natural. Maybe because of the third person?
May 6th, 2010 at 3:07 pm
Wow, Catherine, I’m glad we convinced you about this book! You’ll definitely enjoy it. Make sure to report back when you’ve read it!
PJ, I can’t wait to read the sequel. I’m seriously tempted to order it from the UK since it doesn’t come out in the US until December! I think you’re right about the dual POV working because of the third person. It did make the shifts less noticeable, but it also helped that the characters were so well-written!
April 20th, 2011 at 5:14 pm
It’s so nice to see dual POV addressed with open arms. I think too many professors of writing fear dual POV as DUEL POV rather than a possible tool to enhance a story. My history novel (WWI to 1990)involves the passing importance from father to son over 20 years and dual POV allows a subtle transfer. Now, to read Incarceron. Thanks for the insight.
May 17th, 2011 at 1:02 pm
Great post, Anna. I’m struggling to have a smooth dual POV in my story, as well as the “characters/storylines of equal interest.” I think I’m off to read this now in the name of research!